Whilst still a mere youth, he was charged with the conduct of the nicest negotiations affecting the safety and happiness of millions. He conducted these delicate and complicated affairs with so much honour, skill, and firmness, that Runjeet, influenced almost as much by the character of the English ambassador as by the English bayonets looming in the far distance, agreed to our proffered treaties, and faithfully observed them.

Metcalfe, having done this good service, was summoned to Calcutta, to receive in person the thanks of the Governor-General.

In 1811 he was appointed to the charge of the Delhi Residency. Here his duties were not merely diplomatic. He had to govern a large tract of country, and to act as the head of a considerable English society. On great occasions, as many as fifty sat at his table. His hospitalities to all within reach of the Residency, and to the troops of visitors who came to see the imperial city, were profuse and unceasing. His labours, as the governor of a province, were great; but still more arduous was the attempt to manage the affairs of the wretched puppet king, who pretended to reign within the palace walls of Delhi. The kind heart, the clear head, the firm hand, all were combined in Metcalfe: he was respected by all, beloved by many, but overworked, and by consequence not happy. The continual pressure on his time and thoughts was too great; and he still pined for home. Can anything,' he wrote, 'can anything be a recompense to me in this world, for not seeing my dear and honoured father from the days of my boyhood to the day of his death? and perhaps the same with regard to my mother?'

In short, Metcalfe, though living in vice-regal state, was a solitary exile, sighing for a home. That he should feel his long separation from his dearest relations was

natural, but had his mind not been morbid from continual over-work, he would have supported this unavoidable evil with less impatience.

Lord Minto went home in 1813. His successor, Lord Moira, in the following year made a progress through the upper provinces of Hindostan, and waged war with Nepal.*

After this Metcalfe urged that the freebooting tribes of Central India (Pindarrees) must be reduced to order and obedience. War on a large scale against these disturbers of the peace of India was proclaimed, 1818. The Pindarrees were conquered, and subsided into the mass of the people. Holkar, who had joined them, was beaten. Peace was restored to Central India on a substantial basis. No statesman had done more than Metcalfe to bring about these great results; and the Governor-General naturally enough was anxious to secure to himself the immediate services of so valuable a man. Metcalfe was tempted to accept the secretary's portfolio, and to attach himself to the bureau of Lord Moira, who by that time had been created for his services Marquis of Hastings.

Like many others who have surrendered the active for the contemplative phase of existence, Metcalfe found it much harder to serve one master than to rule many. He became almost of course dissatisfied, and was glad to accept the duties and difficulties of active life once more, when offered to him in the shape of the Residency of Hyderabad. Once again, instead of being a minister, he

* Nepal is on the northern frontier of Bengal. The Nepalese are a brave and hardy race of mountaineers. Observing our failure to take Bhurt poor in 1804, they declared that if we could not demolish the works of man we need not attempt to scale the fortresses of God, The war began in May 1814, and, after varied success, ended in March of the following year.

became a master; and in November 1820, proceeded to the court of the Nizam.

I shall not go into the details of the trials, the struggles the eventual victory, which attended this new career. Metcalfe found corruption rampant at this native court; the people in abject misery; the chiefs immersed either in debauchery or intrigue. In dragging this mass of evil into daylight, in cleaning out this Augean stable, Metcalfe found himself in antagonism, even to the Governor-General. The case excited attention, not only in India, but in England.

After the furnace-like probation, which usually attends the career of an honest determined reformer of abuses, Metcalfe came out triumphant. Amongst dear friends who had anxiously supported him in this struggle, he spent some happy and most useful years at Hyderabad. One feeling seems to have absorbed his soul at this time. He thus writes to a near and dear friend: 'I live in a state of fervent and incessant gratitude to God, for the favours and mercies which I have experienced throughout my life. The feeling is so strong that it often overflows in tears; and is so rooted, that I do not think that any misfortunes could shake it. It leads to constant devotion and firm content.' Thus was he rewarded for years of anxious suspense and obloquy: thus does Providence send the angels of peace to the man who fights the battle of the poor and the oppressed.

Time rolled on; and once again Metcalfe was summoned to Delhi, to take in hand a skein of politics, knotted, entangled, and complicated beyond all description. The sword was the only remedy. A British army under Lord Combermere was hurled against Bhurtpoor, the fort was stormed* and peace restored to India.

* January 18, 1826,

It was now time for Sir Charles to retire into the dignified retreat, which a seat in the Supreme Council of India affords. Many meritorious servants of the Indian Government have found in council a time of leisure and repose. Metcalfe worked harder than before. In his villa at Garden Reach, the Richmond of Calcutta, the midnight hour and the early dawn found him writing minutes on every important question of the day†-bringing the soundest judgment and the most mature experience to assist the new Governor-General, Lord William Bentinck.‡

Under Lord William, the public press had been virtually free; and he had meditated an improvement in the legislation connected with that important institution. This intention he did not stay to carry out.§ It was left to Sir Charles Metcalfe, when acting as GovernorGeneral, in 1835, after the departure of Lord William Bentinck, to liberate the Indian Press. So far as the expression of public opinion in the English language was concerned, this was doubtless a wise and proper measure. Whether full and free liberty of expression may be safely granted to the natives in their own dialects and characters we have yet to learn. act made Metcalfe more popular than ever in India; but in England the Court of Directors and Board of Control were perplexed.

This

In 1836, Lord Auckland came out as Governor

He had succeeded to the baronetcy on the death of his brother some time before.

Amongst other hard questions was the renewal of the Company's charter, whose commercial existence ended soon after in 1833.

Lord Amherst left India in February 1828. Lord W. Bentinck arrived in July of the same year. Mr. W. B. Bayley presided during

the interval.

His great acts were the prohibition of the self-immolation of widows (Suttee) in 1829 and the revenue settlement in 1833.

General, and prevailed on Metcalfe to accept the office of Lieutenant-Governor of the north-western provinces.

Here he was entering upon a career of interest to himself and great public good, when, learning how much this press-liberating measure had shocked, startled, and provoked the home authorities, Metcalfe at once. decided to resign his appointment, and to leave India. He set sail for England in February 1838, after having received a perfect ovation from the European community, and the affectionate and respectful addresses of all and every class. For thirty-eight years he had devoted rare abilities, an honest heart, and a firm will to the service of India; and India was not ungrateful.

The people of England were not slow to observe and to admire a character so fitted to command, yet so sure to win, the public respect.

In 1839, Sir Charles Metcalfe was made Governor of Jamaica; and after a career of honour and usefulness, was eventually (in 1843) persuaded to accept the Government of Canada.

Whilst in this important post, he was raised to the Peerage. But as Baron Metcalfe, he was soon obliged to leave Canada-with the hand of death upon him.

On the 5th September, 1846, Charles Metcalfe died gently and calmly as he had lived.

Being dead, he yet speaketh in a remarkable manner to every young Englishman, who would learn how to serve his country. His modest, loving, pains-taking career, may well teach how sacred are the duties of self-control, self-improvement, and self-sacrifice. His humility may teach even the humble-his perseverance may encourage the persevering. To each and all his life will show how much peace of mind, how much public and private affection, may wait on the steps of a man like Metcalfe, who in a simple, loving spirit strives honestly to do his duty.